federer sets up nadal showdown in shanghai
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Federer sets up Nadal showdown in Shanghai

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice Federer sets up Nadal showdown in Shanghai

Rafael Nadal finally saw off Marin Cilic after saving three set points in the opener
Abu Dhabi - Emirates Voice

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will meet in Sunday's final of the Shanghai Masters, just the latest chapter in their storied rivalry.

The celebrated duo have faced one another 37 times, with the Spaniard and world number one Nadal winning 23 of their contests.

And the 31-year-old Nadal, who has never won the Shanghai Masters, will be slight favourite this time because he goes into the showdown on a terrific run of form, and his opponent faces a quicker turn around.

Nadal, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, triumphed at the US Open and then last week at the China Open for his sixth title of another remarkable campaign.

But he was forced to survive a rollercoaster with fourth seed Marin Cilic in their semi-final, saving three set points in the opener before pulling through 7-5, 7-6 (7/3).

The Swiss Federer, the world number two chasing a second Shanghai crown, rolled back the years to fight back from a set down and defeat Juan Martin del Potro 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

The 36-year-old Federer had said that he wanted revenge over the 16th-seeded Argentine for defeat in the quarter-finals at the US Open this summer.

And he got it.

Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion whose career has been blighted by wrist injuries, quickly allayed fears that his latest problem would be a major handicap.

The 29-year-old fell and hurt his left wrist in winning his quarter-final on Friday and there were suggestions he may not even make Saturday's match.

But he showed no ill effects in stunning the pro-Federer crowd to break for 4-2 in the first set.

And Del Potro grasped set point following a thrilling rally that had the spectators whooping, only for 19-time Grand Slam champion Federer to inexplicably shank his volley out of the court.

The second set went with serve until Federer, going after a 94th singles title, made the breakthrough on the Del Potro serve to inch ahead.

Del Potro began showing irritation, engaging in a series of discussions with the umpire, including demanding Federer be warned for triumphantly hitting the ball away after winning the game.

Federer sent the match into a deciding third set and he got the break early to tee up another Nadal meeting.

Federer, the older man, could be at a slight disadvantage because he has a shorter time to rest having played the second match of the day.

Croatia's Cilic had only ever got the better of Nadal once in five previous meetings, but he made him work hard for this latest win.

Nadal said he was just glad to be in the final.

"The way doesn't matter," he said with a smile. "We are at the highest level of our sport so nobody wins easy.

"And if you want to compete in the most important events of the year and try to go for the victories, for sure you're going to have tough matches, and today was one of them."

Nadal put Cilic under immediate pressure in the Croat's first two service games.

But the 29-year-old Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, eventually settled, only to squander three set points as Nadal hung on grimly.

In the next game Nadal capitalised, breaking Cilic on the way to claiming the first set.

With the crowd firmly in his favour, the Spaniard broke Cilic again in the third game of the second set, only for Cilic to break back for 3-3 when Nadal put his simple volley into the net.

They exchanged a further break apiece to race into the tie break, before a grateful Nadal pulled away at the last.

Source: Khaleej Times

 

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

federer sets up nadal showdown in shanghai federer sets up nadal showdown in shanghai

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

federer sets up nadal showdown in shanghai federer sets up nadal showdown in shanghai

 



GMT 10:31 2014 Tuesday ,23 December

Mirages of failure: Lebanon cannot wait

GMT 16:17 2018 Thursday ,30 August

Five Saudi women pilots granted GACA licences

GMT 05:38 2017 Tuesday ,05 September

Serious need for progress in the peace process

GMT 00:18 2017 Wednesday ,22 February

Mugabe marks 93rd birthday with faltering TV interview

GMT 12:48 2017 Tuesday ,09 May

King, Egyptian president hold talks

GMT 18:03 2017 Friday ,17 November

HH Sheikha Moza Witnesses Opening of 2017 WISE Summit

GMT 07:18 2017 Monday ,19 June

ARC Secretary General Najla Al Shamsi in Riyadh

GMT 08:18 2013 Thursday ,31 October

\'Early medication for HIV is cost-effective\'

GMT 19:23 2017 Monday ,23 January

80 Houthi Militants Killed in Airstrikes

GMT 22:44 2017 Friday ,21 July

HM King ratifies, issues 4 laws

GMT 13:34 2016 Saturday ,29 October

Biden ‘tops Clinton list for secretary of state’

GMT 20:00 2017 Saturday ,15 July

Bahrain condemns terrorist attack in Giza

GMT 09:20 2017 Wednesday ,05 July

Mohamed bin Zayed receives phone call

GMT 14:18 2012 Sunday ,13 May

Why some men hide in bathrooms

GMT 12:26 2012 Thursday ,28 June

Pakistan releases Indian spy

GMT 20:33 2013 Friday ,09 August

New menswear brand Pin Collar Shirts launches

GMT 13:43 2013 Wednesday ,06 November

Urban Retreat announces launch of debut skincare line

GMT 15:59 2017 Wednesday ,13 September

Nahyan bin Zayed, Abdullah bin Hamad offer condolences

GMT 09:47 2017 Wednesday ,29 November

UAE has what it takes to become the future capital

GMT 18:14 2017 Friday ,03 March

The Moroccan artist Hakim prepares new song
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
 
 Emirates Voice Facebook,emirates voice facebook  Emirates Voice Twitter,emirates voice twitter Emirates Voice Rss,emirates voice rss  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

emiratesvoieen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen
emiratesvoice emiratesvoice emiratesvoice
emiratesvoice
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice